Looking Back

Today, I’m looking back at the year that has been. It’s been a hell of a good year here at the Payne house and I’m sad to see the year go, but completely excited to see what 2012 brings to us. It started off the same as any other year with me dreaming big and making plans that could ultimately lead somewhere, but quite honestly I had no idea how to make things happen. For some reason, I wanted to go BIGGER this year, though, and finally put plans into action. I just wasn’t sure where to start. But sometimes, all you have to do is take a step – in any direction – to get things moving. It’s all about momentum.

March brought the crazy idea to go to the Interactive portion of SXSW in Austin, TX and while I can’t say that it was ultimately successful for business, I learned a ton and it was such a blast. I felt proud of myself for actually deciding to act on impulse to grab something I wanted. Next, determined to actually get a photography business off the ground this year, I hesitantly submitted a video application to Creative Live to be a part of the Jasmine Star workshop. Lo and behold, I was actually picked for the event by Jasmine! It was an amazing opportunity in which I met 6 other determined, like-minded people who I’ve formed an amazing bond with. May and June launched off my first official wedding season with several events to put my feet to the fire and put plans into action! June also brought us the exciting, mind-blowing news that Natalie was pregnant! Talk about a game changer. July was a reunion with most of the crew from the Creative Live experience. September brought our TEN year anniversary, followed by a couple more fabulous second shooting jobs and photography gigs, running right into our Anniversary trip to Europe in October.

The fall also brought terrible news, as I found out that my sister had breast cancer, which was devastating, but the diagnosis was the best that you could ever hope for with cancer. After a few surgeries (which I won’t say were easy by any stretch), she’s gotten a clean bill of health from the doctor in the last week, and is going to attack 2012 for all it’s worth – so all in all, a great outcome for her.

November brought a visit of our best friends and family as well. December – always the whirlwind – has crept up on us with a Nursery warming and the Christmas celebration. Despite the fact that the end of the year is here, it still feels like it should be around December 4th. I’ll never forget this year – it was a ride that I don’t want to get off of, but I know that 2012 has great things in store.

I plan on going after the next year with even more determination and confidence and can’t wait to see what it brings. The biggest lesson that I have learned from this year is that great things can happen if you go after them. They’re all there for the taking. All you have to do is take a chance and go after it with as much gusto and confidence as you can. Truly. Take it from someone who has seen both sides of it. I’ve been sitting on the sidelines for too long watching people’s success stories and wondering why I couldn’t ever find it myself. It was time for me to TAKE ACTION and make my own plans work. All it takes is hard work and determination. It’s cliche, but true. So, I urge anyone who reads this this for yourself. Make something happen in 2012 – go after what you want with all the passion you can and watch things change. I promise it can happen. Just get some momentum and GO.

Here are a few of my favorite shots representing what this year was to me, both personally and professionally. Happy New Year, everyone. I hope this year has been as good to everyone else as it has been to me. See you in 2012.

Phillip Reid -It’s been a significant plus for this past year watching you. You are certainly correct that, cliché or no, this is key.

Leolak -Happy New Year!!! I completely agree with you in this whole post. I plan to DO in 2012! Congrats to you on such a great year for you and your family. Glad to hear your sister is okay and wish her continued good health.

Tim King-Haha smokey the bear! Great read man! Really excited to see what 2012 has in store for you guys!